Butler County Finance Authority and Middletown Port Authority Approve Cooperative Agreement for Shared Economic Development Operations
22 Apr 2025
News
Butler County, Ohio — The Butler County Finance Authority (BCFA) and the Middletown Port Authority are pleased to announce the approval of a Cooperative Agreement that will strengthen regional economic development coordination across Butler County. The Boards of Directors for both organizations voted unanimously to authorize the agreement, which establishes a two-year partnership in which BCFA will operate and manage the Middletown Port Authority.
The agreement enables the two entities to align strategic resources, professional expertise, and project management capabilities to attract investment, promote redevelopment, and stimulate job growth within Middletown and the broader Butler County region.
“This partnership exemplifies the kind of collaboration needed to unlock the full potential of legacy corridors and development-ready sites throughout the county,” said Brad Evans, Chairman of the Board of the Butler County Finance Authority. “We’re honored to bring our experience and resources to support Middletown’s vision for growth and economic resilience.”
The Cooperative Agreement includes a one-time contribution of $500,000 for the BCFA Jobs & Development Bond Fund, provisions for shared governance reporting, quarterly development updates, and a mutual review process at the conclusion of the initial two-year term. If both parties agree the partnership has been effective, the agreement will be extended.
Middletown City Manager Ashley Combs added, “This agreement allows us to immediately scale up our development capabilities while maintaining our long-term vision. It’s a win for Middletown, a win for Butler County, and most importantly, a win for the people and businesses we serve.”
The partnership takes effect immediately.
Media Contacts:
Ashley Combs: City Manager, City of Middletown, Ohio, ashleyc@cityofmiddletown.org
Joshua A. Smith: President & CEO, Butler County Finance Authority, Joshua@theBCFA.org
More Topics
